Method for producing diphenylmethane

Abstract

A method for producing diphenylmethane from 1,1-diphenylethane with a high yield and selectivity, wherein the 1,1-diphenylethane is reacted with hydrogen and/or water.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for producing diphenylmethane comprising reacting 1,1'-diphenylethane with hydrogen and/or water wherein the amount of hydrogen and/or water is from about 1 to about 30 moles relative to one mole of 1,1'-diphenylethane and the reaction temperature is from 250° C. to 700° C. 
     
     
       2. The method for producing diphenylmethane as claimed in claim 1, wherein the 1,1'-diphenylethane is reacted in the presence of at least one catalyst selected from the group consisting of metal catalysts and metal oxide catalysts. 
     
     
       3. The method for producing diphenylmethane as claimed in claim 2, wherein said catalyst is a metal catalyst comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Re, and Ru. 
     
     
       4. The method for producing diphenylmethane as claimed in claim 2, wherein said catalyst is at least one noble metal. 
     
     
       5. The method for producing diphenylmethane as claimed in claim 2, wherein said catalyst is a metal oxide catalyst comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of CoO, BeO, NiO, CaO, Na 2  O, K 2  O, UO 3 , Cr 2  O 3 , Fe 2  O 3 , SiO 2 , TiO 2 , and Al 2  O 3 . 
     
     
       6. The method for producing diphenylmethane as claimed in claim 2, wherein said catalyst is a metal oxide catalyst comprising an alkali metal oxide and/or alkaline earth metal oxide. 
     
     
       7. The method for producing diphenylmethane as claimed in claim 2, wherein said catalyst is a metal oxide catalyst comprising sodium oxide and/or calcium oxide. 
     
     
       8. The method for producing diphenylmethane as claimed in claim 1, wherein 1,1'-diphenylethane is reacted with hydrogen. 
     
     
       9. The method for producing diphenylmethane as claimed in claim 2, wherein 1,1'-diphenylethane is reacted with hydrogen. 
     
     
       10. The method for producing diphenylmethane as claimed in claim 1, wherein 1,1'-diphenylethane is reacted with water. 
     
     
       11. The method for producing diphenylmethane as claimed in claim 2, comprising reacting of 1,1'-diphenylethane with water. 
     
     
       12. The method for producing diphenylmethane as claimed in claim 1, wherein 1,1'-diphenylethane is reacted with mixture of hydrogen and water. 
     
     
       13. The method for producing diphenylmethane as claimed in claim 2, wherein 1,1'-diphenylethane is reacted with a mixture of hydrogen and water. 
     
     
       14. The method for producing diphenylmethane as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reaction pressure is in the range from atmospheric pressure to about 100 kg/cm 2 . 
     
     
       15. The method for producing diphenylmethane as claimed in claim 1, wherein the starting material is a hydrocarbon oil comprising at least about 50 % by weight of 1,1'-diphenylethane. 
     
     
       16. The method for producing diphenylmethane as claimed in claim 1, wherein the yield of diphenylmethane is at least about 9%.